Footlets, pantyhose and protective bag therefor

ABSTRACT

Knitted articles such as footlets, pantyhose and washing bags are provided, each includes a beaded portion forming the top thereof, a banded portion connected to the beaded portion and a body portion connected to the banded portion. The beaded portion is formed of a plurality of alternate and intermediate courses of elastic yarn such as Lycra yarn. The intermediate course comprises a predetermined number of loops. The alternate course comprises a fraction of said predetermined number of loops. The alternate and intermediate courses alternate throughout the beaded portion, starting with an alternate course. The banded portion of the articles is formed of a larger plurality of alternate and intermediate courses alternating throughout, starting with an alternate course. The alternate and intermediate courses of the banded portion are formed of a hosiery yarn such as nylon yarn. The body portion of the article is also knitted of the hosiery yarn and includes a plurality of courses, each of which includes said predetermined number of loops.

Siegfried Sept. 23, 1975 FOOTLETS, PANTYHOSE AND PROTECTIVE BAG THEREFOR [76] Inventor: George Siegfried, PO. Box 128,

Milton, Del. 19968 [22] Filed: Mar. 14, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 341,018

[52] U.S. Cl 66/170; 66/171; 66/172 E; 66/177 [51] Int. Cl. i... D04B 1/18; D04B 1/24; D04B 9/24 [58] Field of Search 66/171, 170, 177, 176, 66/178 A, 172 E, 169, 175, 198, 202; 2/226, 240

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,111,353 3/1938 Berry 66/172 E X 2,276,045 3/1942 Katterman i 66/176 2,349,746 5/1944 Morris et al..... 66/172 E 2,574,737 11/1951 Goodchild 66/178 A 2,799,151 7/1957 Elder et a1... 66/172 E 3,166,922 1/1965 York et a1. 66/172 E 3,331,221 7/1967 Lawson, Jr 66/170 3,595,034 7/1971 Safrit 66/172 E 3,600,909 8/1971 Kaplan..... 66/171 3,720,078 3/1973 Burleson 66/177 3,728,875 4/1973 Hartigan et al..... 66/178 A X R26,667 9/1969 Sarbo 66/171 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 68,944 1l/1969 Germany .1 66/177 OTHER PUBLICATIONS American Dyestuff Reporter, Jan. 7, 1963, pp. 33-37.

Primary Examiner-Wm. Carter Reynolds Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Caesar, Rivise, Bernstein & Cohen [57] ABSTRACT Knitted articles such as footlets, pantyhose and washing bags are proyided, each includes a beaded portion forming the top thereof, a banded portion connected to the beaded portion and a body portion connected to the banded portion. The beaded portion is formed of a plurality of alternate and intermediate courses of elastic yarn such as Lycra yarn. The intermediate course comprises a predetermined number of loops. The alternate course comprises a fraction of said predetermined number of loops. The alternate and intermediate courses alternate throughout the beaded por tion, starting with an alternate course. The banded portion of the articles is formed of a larger plurality of alternate and intermediate courses alternating throughout, starting with an alternate course, The alternate and intermediate courses of the banded portion are formed of a hosiery yarn such as nylon yarn. The body portion of the article is also knitted of the hosiery yarn and includes a plurality of courses, each of which includes said predetermined number of loops.

US Patent Sept. 23,1975 Sheet 2 of2 3,906,753

FIG. 3

FOOTLETS, PANTYI-IOSE AND PROTECTIVE BAG THEREFOR This invention relates generally to knitted hosiery and more particularly it relates to knitted footlets and pantyhose for womens and girls wear and for knitted washing, drying and storage bags for delicate fabric garments.

In the hosiery art, there presently exists a need for a knitted footlet which can be readily-and economically manufactured, can be fit on a variety of foot sizes, will not slide down the wearers foot, will not roll up and is attractive and unobtrusive in appearance.

While prior art footlets may have some of the above mentioned features, no prior art footlet has them all.

For example, in US. Pat. No. 3,600,909 (Kaplan), there is disclosed a footlet formed of a rather wide integrally knitted upper elastic band formed of approximately 200 courses of nylon-covered Lycra yarn. The band fits around the top of the footlet and serves to support the footlet on the wearers foot about the ankle.

The use of a nylon-covered Lycra band in the footlet disclosed in the Kaplan patent results in a band that is rather bulky and wide and does not take dye coloration to the same extent as the body portion of the footlet. These characteristics of the Kaplan footlet render it readily noticeable on the wearers ankle when the footlet band is outside the wearers shoe.

Furthermore, prior art footlets utilizing an elastic band, whether knitted, as is the case of the footlet disclosed in the aforementioned Kaplan patent, or sewn on, cause a crease in the skin after being worn for some time.

Accordingly, it is a general object of this invention to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art. I

It is another objectof this invention to provide a footlet which stays in place without the discomfort inherent in prior art elastic-band footlets.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a footlet having a virtually unnoticeable elastic bead about the top thereof.

It is yet a further object of this invention to provide a footlet which is attractive yet unobtrusive in appearance.

It is still another object of this invention to provide pantyhose having a top portion which is sufficiently resilient to support the pantyhose on the wearer without rolling up and yet which is attractive in appearance.

Delicate fabric garments such as pantyhose, footlets, panties, etc. require great care in laundering and drying to prevent damage thereto. Heretofore, this has necessitated hand washing'and drying of such garments.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a knitted bag in which delicate fabric garments can be washed, dried and safety stored.

It is yet a further object of this inventionto provide a knitted container for delicate fabric garments, through which cleaning solutions and drying air may freely flow but which securely holds the garments therein.

These and other objects of the invention are achieved by providing a knitted article comprising a beaded portion forming the top thereof, a banded portion connected to the beaded portion and a body portion connected to the banded portion. The beaded portion consists of a first plurality of alternate and intermediate courses of a first yarn. The intermediate course comprises a predetermined number of loops. The alternate course comprises a fraction of said predetermined number of loops. The courses of the first plurality of courses alternate throughout the beaded portion, starting with an alternate course. Each intermediate course of the banded portion comprises a determined number of loops and each alternate course comprises a fraction of the determined number of loops. The courses of the banded portion alternate therethrough in the same manner as the courses forming the beaded portion of the article. The body portion of the article comprises a third plurality of courses of said second yarn. Each of the courses of the body portion includes said predetermined number of loops.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a footlet in accordance with one aspect of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a pantyhose in accordance with another aspect of this invention;

FIG. 3 is a greatly enlarged view of the portion of the footlet shown within the phantom line area in FIG. 1 and the portion of the pantyhose shown within the phantom line area in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a delicate garment storage bag in accordance with one aspect of this invention with a portion thereof shown greatly enlarged.

Referring now in greater detail to the various figures of the drawing wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts, a knitted footlet embodying one aspect of the invention is shown generally at 20 in FIG. 1.

The knitted footlet 20 basically comprises an elastic beaded portion 22 forming an opening therein, a banded portion 24 connected to the beaded portion 22 and a body portion 26 connected to the banded portion 24. The body pd rtion is tubular and is joined along its bottom edge as by sewing.

As is known, footlets are utilized to provide a covering on the foot such that ones foot does not directly contact the interior of ones shoe, thereby increasing shoe comfort. In addition, the footlet may absorb some foot perspiration thereby further increasing comfort.

FIG. 1 shows the manner in which the footlet 20 is worn on ones foot 28.

The banded portion 24 of footlet 20 serves as the means for supporting the footlet on the foot 28 and for preventing the footlet from sliding down the foot and into the shoe during wearing. The elastic beaded portion 22 of footlet 20 provides additional support for the footlet while precluding the footlet from rolling down.

In accordance with one aspect of this invention, the elastic portion 22 of footlet 20 is knitted from an elastic yarn such as Lycra spandex yarn and consists of a small number of courses, so as to be virtually unnoticeable when worn. Furthermore, the banded portion 24 of footlet 20 and the body portion 26 thereof are each knitted of the same type of yarn, e.g. nylon, whereby upon being dyed, both the band and the body portions attain the same color hue and intensity in the interest of good appearance and unobtrusiveness.

In addition to the approved appearance achieved by the footlet 20 of this invention, the combination of the thin elastic rib 22 and the nylon band 24 of footlet serves to effectively support the footlet without the discomfort inherent in prior art elastic band footlets, while precluding the footlets from rolling down during wearing.

The knitted details of the beaded portion 22, band portion 24 and body portion 26 of footlet 20 are shown clearly in FIG. 3 which is an enlarged view of the portion of footlet 20 within the phantom line area denoted as 3 in FIG. I.

In accordance with this invention, the first course of the beaded portion 22, hereinafter called an alternate course, is knitted utilizing a first predetermined number of needles of a knitting machine to form a first predetermined number of stitches or loops in the course. The immediately succeeding course, hereinafter called the intermediate course, is knitted utilizing a second predetermined number of needles of the knitting machine to form a second predetermined number of loops in the course. The number of loops in the alternate course is a fraction of the number of loops in the intermediate course and is established in accordance with the type of articles desired, as will be described later. The remainder of the beaded portion consists of alternate and intermediate courses alternating there'- through, starting with an alternate course. The beaded portion preferably includes a total of four to eight courses, depending upon the type of article desired, but may in some cases, include fewer or greater courses.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, footlet 20 includes a beaded portion 22 comprising a total of four courses, namely, 30, 32, 34 and 36. Courses 30 and 34 form the alternate courses and courses 32 and 36 form the intermediate courses. As can be seen, for a given length of the beaded portion 22, the alternate courses 30 and 34 include half the number of loops 40 as the intermediate courses 32 and 36.

The intermediate courses are knit utilizing all the needles of a knitting machine, e.g. four hundred needles, whereas the alternate courses are knit utilizing every other needle of the knitting machine. This results in one intermediate course loop disposed between adjacent alternate course loops.

All the alternate and intermediate courses of the beaded portion 22 are knitted of an elastic yarn, such as 140 denier, Lycra yarn. Preferably, the Lycra is ap' plied under tension to the needles of the knitting ma chine making the article so as to extend the length of the elastic yarn during the knitting operation. Once the stitches or loops of the beaded portion are formed, the elastic yarn returns to its original state, thereby reducing the circumference of the beaded portion. Because the elastic yarn is knitted under tension and because the beaded portions alternate courses have fewer loops than its intermediate courses, the beaded portion 22 contracts a great deal when relaxed. This action not only aids the band in holding the footlet up but also equally spaced therealong with an intermediate course loop therebetween.

The banded portion 24 may comprise a total of from approximately 50 of approximately 200 courses, depending upon the type of article desired, but may, in some instances, include fewer or greater courses.

Preferably, banded portion 22 of footlet 20 includes a total of two hundred courses. In FIG. 3, only twelve of the banded portion courses are shown, namely, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62 and 64. Courses 42, 46, 50, 54, 58 and 62 form the alternate courses of the banded portion and courses 44, 48, 52, 56, 60 and 64 form the intermediate courses thereof. As can be seen, the alternate courses include half the number of loops as the intermediate courses and are equally spaced along the course with respective intermediate course loops interposed therebetween.

The alternate and intermediate courses of the banded portion are knitted of a hosiery yarn such as nylon yarn. Nylon yarn is slightly elastic although not nearly as elastic as Lycra yarn.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the alternating, alternate and intermediate courses of slightly elastic nylon yarn, produces a band having a relatively tight ribbed effect. Therefore, when the band is relaxed, it is relatively rigid. The ribbed effect of the band provides hold-up" power to keep the footlet in place. In addition, the ribbed effect enables the band to easily conform to the contour of the wearers foot, thereby providing greater comfort than prior art footlets.

It has been found that insofar as footlets and pantyhose are concerned, particularly effective beaded and banded portions comprise alternate courses having one-half the number of loops as the intermediate courses, since such an arrangement produces the relative tight ribbed effect. It should be pointed out at this juncture that the alternate course can, if desired, include less than one-half the number of loops as the intermediate courses.

In a preferred embodiment of this invention, all the alternate and intermediate courses of the banded portion 24 are formed of the same type nylon yarn, e.g. Type 6.6 Nylon. However, if a more rigid band is desired, the alternate courses may be formed of a Type 6 Nylon yarn while the intermediate courses are formed of the less elastic Type 6.6 Nylon yam.

Once the banded portion 24 of footlet 20 is completed, the body portion 26 is knitted. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, the body portion 26 is knitted of the same hosiery yarn as the banded portion 24 but each course includes the same number of loops as the intermediate courses of the banded portion.

The body portion may comprise any number of courses, depending upon the type and length of article knitted. As can be seen in FIG. 3, only four courses of body portion 26 are shown, namely, courses 66, 68, and 72. Each of the courses includes the same number of loops 40 therein as the intermediate courses of banded portion 24 and in this regard, all the courses of the body portion may be considered to be intermediate courses In accordance with another aspect of this invention, the lowermost part of the body portion 26 may be formed of a natural fiber such as cotton. To that end, the lowermost portion of the footlet is knitted of cotton yarn in the same manner as the nylon body portion, that is, utilizing all the needles of the knitting machine for each course. The resulting cotton pad at the bottom of the footlet serves to absorb foot perspiration and thereby give the wearer the comfort of natural fibers on the foot.

In FIG. 2 there is shown a perspective view of a pantyhose 200 in accordance with this invention. As can be seen, pantyhose 200 includes a beaded portion 22, a banded portion 24 and a bottom portion 26. The beaded and banded portions 22 and 26, respectively, are adapted to fit around the wearers waist and the body portion 26 is adapted to receive the trunk and legs of the wearer.

The details of the beaded portion 22, the banded portion 24 and the body portion 26 of pantyhose 200 are identical to the details of footlet 20, the only difference being in the overall shape and size of the knitted article. Accordingly, previously described FIG. 3 also represents the portion of the pantyhose within the phantom line area 3 in FIG. 2.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the pantyhose of this invention may be formed of two pieces (see FIG. 2) which are seamed together in a conventional manner or may be formed of a one piece construction.

In FIG. 4 there is shown a knitted protective bag 300 for storing, washing and drying delicate fabric garments therein. The bag is closed at its bottom and includes an opening 302 through which the garments may be inserted in or removed from the bag.

The bag basically comprises a beaded portion 304 forming the opening 302, a banded portion 306 connected to the beaded portion and a body portion 308 connected to the banded portion.

As will be considered in detail later, the beaded portion is elastic and serves to close the bag to preclude garments disposed therein from falling out of the bag. The banded portion is knitted in a manner to provide a relative open net-like material to enable the ingress and egress of water and air into the bag. The body portion is tightly knit and serves to support and protect the garments disposed within the bag.

As can be seen from the greatly enlarged section of bag 300-in FIG. 4, the beaded portion 304 comprises a total of four courses, namely, 310, 312, 314 and 316. Courses 310 and 314 are hereinafter denoted as alternate courses and courses 312 and 316 are hereinafter denoted as intermediate courses. As can be seen, for a given length of beaded portion 304, the alternate courses 310 and 314 include one-fourth the number of loops 318 as the intermediate courses 312 and 316. The intermediate courses are knit utilizing all the needles of a knitting machine, whereas the alternate courses are knit utilizing only every fourth needle of the knitting machine. This results in three intermediate course loops disposed between adjacent alternate course loops.

All of the alternate and intermediate courses are knitted of an elastic yarn, such as 104 denier, Lycra yarn. Preferably, the Lycra yarn is applied under great tension to the needles of the knitting machine making the bag so as to greatly extend the length of the yarn during the knitting operation. Once the loops 318 of the beaded portion are formed, the Lycra yarn returns to its original state, thereby greatly reducing the circumference of the beaded portion 302. Because the Lycrayarn is knitted under tension and because the beaded portions alternate courses have only onefourth the loops of the intermediate courses, the beaded portion 22 contracts a great deal when relaxed. This action effectively closes the opening 32 to preclude the garments disposed therein from falling out.

Once the beaded portion 304 is completed, the

' banded portion 306 is knitted. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of this invention, the banded portion is knitted in the same manner as the beaded portion so as to form alternate and intermediate courses alternating throughout, starting with an alternate course, and with the alternate courses comprising a fraction of the number of loops as the intermediate course, e.g. one-quarter.

The banded portion 306 may comprise a total of approximately 50 to approximately 200 courses depending upon the article desired. In the preferred embodiment of bag 300, band 306 comprises approximately 50 courses, only two of which are shown in FIG. 4, namely, 320 and 324. Course 320 is an alternate course whereas course 324 is an intermediate course.

The alternate and intermediate courses of the band are knitted of a hosiery yarn such as nylon yarn. Due to the fact that the alternate courses include only onefourth the number of loops as the intermediate courses, the resulting ribbed effect is relatively open and netlike.

The net-like rib effect enables washing solutions and air to freely pass into or out of the bag to wash and dry delicate garments disposed therein.

Once the banded portion 306 of bag 300 is completed, the body portion 308 is knitted. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, body portion 26 is knitted of the same hosiery yarn as banded portion 24 but each course includes the same number of loops as the intermediate courses of the band portion. This results in a tightly knit body portion, which serves to protect the delicate garments disposed within the bag. As can be seen in FIG. 4', only three courses of the body portion 308 are shown, namely, 326, 328 and 330.

Owing to the fact that the banded and body portions of either the footlets 20, pantyhose 200 or bag 300 are each knitted of the same hosiery yarn, when dyed .both the band and body portions of the article take on the same color intensity and hue.

As previously noted, prior art elastic-banded footlets suffer from a color mismatch between the elastic band and the body when such articles are dyed. The color mismatch is readily apparent and is objectionable insofar as the band isrelatively wide.

While it is noted that the elastic bead of this invention may not take the dye in the same manner as the band and body portions of the article, thereby resulting in a slight color mismatch, nevertheless, the bead is so narrow,.e.g. four to eight courses, as to be unnoticeable. V

Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully illustrate our invention that others may, by applying current or future knowledge, readily adapt the same for use under various conditions of service.

What is claimed as the invention is:

1. A knitted article comprising a beaded portion forming the top edge thereof, a banded portion connected to said beaded portion and a body portion connected to said banded portion, said beaded portion being formed of approximately four to approximately eight courses consisting of alternate and intermediate courses of Lycra spandex yarn, each said intermediate course comprising a predetermined number of loops, each said alternate course comprising a fraction of said predetermined number of loops, said courses alternating throughout the beaded portion, starting with an alternate course, said banded portion being formed of approximately 50 to approximately 200 courses consisting of a second plurality of alternate and intermediate courses of a slightly elastic yarn, each said intermediate course of said banded portion comprising a determined number of loops, each said alternate course of said banded portion comprising a fraction of said determined number of loops, and said body portion comprising a third plurality of courses of said slightly elastic yarn, each of the courses of said body portion including said predetermined number of loops.

2. The article of claim 1 wherein said beaded portion consists of approximately four courses.

3. The article of claim 2 wherein said each alternate course of said beaded portion consists of one-half the number of loops of each said intermediate course of said beaded portion.

4. The article of claim 3 wherein said slightly elastic yarn is nylon yarn.

5. The article of claim 4 wherein said article is a footlet.

6. The article of claim 4 wherein said article is a pantyhose.

7. The article of claim 2 wherein each of said alternate courses of said beaded portion consist of onefourth the number of loops of each of said intermediate courses of said beaded portion.

8. A knitted bag for holding delicate garmets therein for washing the same comprising a beaded portion forming the top edge thereof, a banded portion connected to said beaded portion and a body portion connected to said banded portion, said beaded portion being formed of approximately four to approximately eight courses consisting of alternate and intermediate courses of spandex yarn, said intermediate courses comprising a predetermined number of loops, each said alternate course comprising one-fourth the number of loops of each said intermediate course, each said courses alternating throughout the beaded portion, starting with an alternate course, said banded portion being formed of approximately 50 to approximately 200 courses consisting of alternate and intermediate courses of a slightly elastic yarn, each said intermediate course of said banded portion comprising a determined number of loops, each said alternate course of said banded portion comprising a fraction of said determined number of loops, and said body portion comprising a third plurality of courses of said hosiery yarn, each of the courses of thebody portion including the predetermined number of loops. 

1. A knitted article comprising a beaded portion forming the top edge thereof, a banded portion connected to said beaded portion and a body portion connected to said banded portion, said beaded portion being formed of approximately four to approximately eight courses consisting of alternate and intermediate courses of Lycra spandex yarn, each said intermediate course comprising a predetermined number of loops, each said alternate course comprising a fraction of said predetermined number of loops, said courses alternating throughout the beaded portion, starting with an alternate course, said banded portion being formed of approximately 50 to approximately 200 courses consisting of a second plurality of alternate and intermediate courses of a slightly elastic yarn, each said intermediate course of said banded portion comprising a determined number of loops, each said alternate course of said banded portion comprising a fraction of said determined number of loops, and said body portion comprising a third plurality of courses of said slightly elastic yarn, each of the courses of said body portion including said predetermined number of loops.
 2. The article of claim 1 wherein said beaded portion consists of approximately four courses.
 3. The article of claim 2 wherein said each alternate course of said beaded portion consists of one-half the number of loops of each said intermediate course of said beaded portion.
 4. The article of claim 3 wherein said slightly elastic yarn is nylon yarn.
 5. The article of claim 4 wherein said article is a footlet.
 6. The article of claim 4 wherein said article is a pantyhose.
 7. The article of claim 2 wherein each of said alternate courses of said beaded portion consist of one-fourth the number of loops of each of said intermediate courses of said beaded portion.
 8. A knitted bag for holding delicate garmets therein for washing the same comprising a beaded portion forming the top edge thereof, a banded portion connected to said beaded portion and a body portion connected to said banded portion, said beaded portion being formed of approximately four to approximately eight courses consisting of alternate and intermediate courses of spandex yarn, said intermediate courses comprising a predetermined number of loops, each said alternate course comprising one-fourth the number of loops of each said intermediate course, each said courses alternating throughout the beaded portion, starting with an alternate course, said banded portion being formed of approximately 50 to approximately 200 courses consisting of alternate and intermediate courses of a slightly elastic yarn, each said intermediate course of said banded portion comprising a determined number of loops, each said alternate course of said banded portion comprising a fraction of said determined number of loops, and said body portion comprising a third plurality of courses of said hosiery yarn, each of the courses of the body portion including the predetermined number of loops. 